Apparatus for loosening and removing dust from tobacco



Sept. 16, 1930. v. LORENTZ 1,775,907

APPARATUS FOR LOOSENING AND REMOVING DUST FROM TOBACCO Filed Sept. 12, 1928 farm for Vale/22 1b [ore/2Z3 Patented Sept. 16, 1930 4 UNITED. STATES,

PATENT OFFICE YALENTIN LOBEN'TZ, OI DRESI JEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOB 'ro UNITED momma 1mcnnm COMPANY A..-G., or DRESDEN, eumrm Arruwrus r oa oosmnne AND an'movme nusr raom ronaoco Application fled September 12,

The invention relates partly to the treatthe same and removing dust and any other small foreign particles therefrom, and-more particularly the invention pertains to an improved method of and apparatus for accomplishing the loosening and dust removing operation in connection with a plant or mac inery for pneumatically dressing or preparing, that is treating the tobacco with a view to loosening the same and removing dust and other foreign matter therefrom.

To this end it has been suggested in my prior application for Patent Ser. No. 273,642 to alternately increase and decrease the speed of the air in the-loosenin or the conveying conduits usually provided in machinery of thekind, so that cut tobacco will be drawn asunder by the changing air velocity and due to the changing centre of gravity of the i tobacco, and at the same'time the dust will be released thereby and free for removal outwards. Furthermoreit has been suggested heretofore to accomplish or bring about the change of the air velocity by providing contractions or enlargements in theconveying conduit. I The present invention is based upon the observation that the purpose aimed at will be attainedin a more ready and eflicient manner by providing, in the loosening shaft or in the conveying conduit, spaced holes or a erture's for communication with the outer an. Since a partial vacuum prevails within the loosening shaft or the conveying conduit, air will be sucked in through the said apertures and the currents of air thus intruding into the shaft or conduit will act to raise up and whirl round the tobacco passing over the said apertures.

With the above features or objects in view,

I reference is had to the following sppcification and annexed drawing in whic ore is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention which is in no way intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims as it is to be clearly understood-that variations and modifications which fairly fall within the'true scope of said claims, may be resorted to when found expedient.

1928, Serial No. 305,508, and in Germany September 17, 1527.

Referring to the embodiment shown in the drawing a designates a portion of a conve ing conduit through which the tobacco to treated is caused through the action of a sucking air current to move in the direction of the arrow a partial vacuum thus being maintained or constantly produced in the said conduit. According to the present inair current and to prevent the latter from constriction. If there are heavy impurities such as sand, little stones and the like in the tobacco, such im urities will drop through the apertures an it will be recommendable to provide below the apertures suitable means such as cups d or the like for the reception of the said heavy particles which may be removed therefrom from time to time.

The apertures 12 may vary as regards size,

number and distance or space between each other, in accordance with the uality or nature of the tobacco to be treate but the size and location thereof will also depend on the amount or proportion of dust and other impurities in the tobacco, upon the value of the partial vacuum existing or available in the conduit and upon any other reasons. In case of providing apertures of a comparatively larger size it will be advisable to equip the same with screens for the purpose of preventing tobacco from dropping through the apertures whenthe partial vacuum is reduced or impaired temporarily or accidentally; Obviously a great many modifications respecting size and arrangement of the apertures are feasible within the scope of the present invention, for instance, in case of a larger or thick-walled conduit (1 the apertures may be of conical flaring shape so as to thereby Iprevent the air current from constriction wit out the necessity of providing particular'tubes such as c.

. The conduit a is supposed to be mounted and supported in a horizontalplane with the apertures b in the bottom thereof. The. provision of apertures in or near the bottom 5 of the conduit is preferable in case that the same are. at the same time intended for removing sand and any other coarser impurities from the tobacco. Evidently, however, the effect of whirling round the tobacco in the conduit will just as well take place, if the bores or apertures b are provided at places other than the bottom of the conduit, for instance, in the side Walls thereofor if they are arranged in'staggered relationship 5 or distributed over the periphery. of the con- 1 duit so as to lie in a'helical line or the'like.

The apparatus constructed as herein do-v v scribed and shown may be used for the purpose of loosening both out tobacco and tono bacco leaves or bundles of leaves, and at the same time removing dust and other foreign substances therefrom. I claim 1. A pneumatic device for loosening tobacco and removing dust and foreign par- Y ticles'therefrom comprising a conveying conduit for the tobacco having a plurality ofapertures therein to permit the entry of air into the conduit to cause a whirling action 80 on the tobacco passing through the conduit and over the openings. J

2. A pneumatic device for loosening tobacco and removing dust and foreign par-' ticles therefrom comprising a conveying conas duit for-the tobacco having a plurality ofv apertures therein; and a funnel-shaped tube in the aperture to permit the entry of air into the conduit to cause a whirling action on the tobacco passing through the conduit and over the apertures.

' 3. A pneumatic device for loosening tobacco and removing dust and foreign particles therefrom comprising a conveying conduit for the tobacco adapted to be horizon- 5 tally arranged and having a plurality of apertures therein a funnel-shaped tube in the aperture to permit the'entry of air, into the conduit to cause a whirling action on the tobacco passing through c the conduit and over the apertures; and means associated with ,the apertures for receiving the particles separated from the tobacco.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. VALENTIN LORENTZ. 

